Artem VasinWithin every algorithm and device lies a quiet echo of humanity’s enduring quest for well-being and understanding. The healthcare industry has achieved unprecedented insights into human physiological, molecular, and genetic characteristics, paving the way for a groundbreaking evolution in how we approach health care. Beyond physical health, there is a growing focus on human psychology, with mental health care becoming as routine as tracking daily steps. Digital devices and software are now integral to this shift.
In this article, we will explore the most significant trends in healthcare technology, allowing for more accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, new drug discoveries, and effective patient management.
Table of Contents
Artificial intelligence
In 2024, researchers from Harvard Medical School developed a new artificial intelligence model capable of identifying potential therapies from existing medicines for the treatment of 7,000 rare diseases. The model analyzes patient reports of unexpected beneficial side effects of drugs that have already been studied and have well-understood safety profiles. This research aims to find alternative therapies with fewer side effects or to replace medications that are ineffective for certain patients.
The use of artificial intelligence to scientifically study both human physical and mental health is a groundbreaking trend in healthcare, one that we are sure to see more of in the headlines. Now, let’s explore other promising applications of AI in health services.
AI has the potential to make healthcare more accurate and less expensive for everyone. For instance, machine learning can simplify interpreting medical results and creating personalized treatment plans. AI systems can generate synthetic data based on real medical histories and treatments while ensuring that no confidential information, such as patient identities or personal health details, is included. In cases where relevant real-world data is lacking, AI can rely on statistical models to create scenarios or simulations – such as predicting disease progression or evaluating treatment efficiency. These AI-generated insights are then reviewed and validated by medical professionals, who make the final decisions.
Additionally, generative AI technology is increasingly being used to assist radiologists in diagnosing diseases through X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging. AI models can detect early signs of various conditions, such as skin and lung cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as predict disease progression.
In pharmaceutical research, artificial intelligence drives advancements in drug discovery and development. AI models can generate chemical compounds with desired properties, analyze molecular structures and safety profiles, and rapidly identify promising candidates for clinical trials. They also assist in predicting potential side effects and interactions with other drugs.
Virtual assistants
Virtual assistants and chatbots can guide patients on how to prepare for tests, answer frequently asked questions, and book appointments. Depending on the user’s inquiry, bots can provide information such as the required documents for treatment, consultation fees, or how much of the treatment is covered by insurance.
These assistants are increasingly integrating with clinics’ or diagnostic centers’ customer relationship management (CRM) systems, taking over routine administrative tasks. With the ability to deliver instant, 24/7 responses, virtual assistants can seamlessly handle a large number of clients simultaneously.
Moreover, chatbots can act as “junior assistants” for doctors, aiding in monitoring symptoms, tracking treatment progress, or recommending medications and physical exercises.
Digital twins
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-world physical object. These virtual models are extensively used in manufacturing and engineering processes, ranging from space flight simulations to crashworthiness tests for cars. Digital twins encompass the entire lifecycle of an object, simulating its behavior in a virtual environment in real time.
In medicine, a digital twin can serve as a virtual replica of a patient, incorporating their physiological traits, medical history, and lifestyle. With advancements in machine learning and increased computational power, medical and research institutions may soon create digital profiles for individual patients. These models could integrate clinical data, real-time physiological changes, and genetic, biochemical, and molecular characteristics to predict the risk of chronic diseases or suggest lifestyle adjustments to mitigate these risks. Furthermore, digital twins could be used to test patients’ responses to specific medications or evaluate the effectiveness of therapies before applying them directly to the patient.
Researchers are also developing digital twins of organs such as the brain and heart to gain a deeper understanding of their functions and potential abnormalities.
IoT-powered telemedicine
Telemedicine aims to alleviate the strain on hospitals overwhelmed by patient influx while ensuring access to quality healthcare for the elderly and those in rural areas far from medical facilities. In addition, many patients find it preferable to receive care at home rather than in a hospital bed.
Thanks to advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, telemedicine has evolved beyond basic remote consultations. Wearable health monitors, smart thermometers, digital scales, and digital stethoscopes are among the devices enabling continuous remote care and treatment.
By tracking vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate through connected devices, doctors can monitor patients in real time, halt the progression of patients’ condition, or predict serious complications. As the global population ages, telemedicine powered by IoT will become increasingly essential for elderly patients, for whom frequent hospital visits can be particularly strenuous.
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Innovative mobile apps
Americans check their phones an average of 144 times a day – a staggering statistic, even if it might be exaggerated. However, it underscores the strong foundation for the widespread adoption of health apps, a demand that is expected to grow in the coming years.
Modern mobile health apps cover a range of functions, including telemedicine services, drug delivery, video consultations, and symptom checkers. Apps that remind users to take their medication are also gaining traction.
In the realm of mental health, companies are offering tools like guided meditation sessions, mood tracking, and anonymous online therapy.
Wearable IoT devices, which we mentioned previously, complement mobile apps by collecting data on health status and sleep quality, transmitting it to mobile platforms for real-time monitoring and personalized insights.
Virtual and augmented reality software
AR/VR technologies can be used by doctors to prepare for or perform certain procedures. Augmented reality systems assist surgeons by superimposing medical images directly onto the patient during surgery. With X-rays, blood pressure data, and medical records displayed in the surgeon’s field of vision, these systems enhance situational awareness and reduce the likelihood of errors.
Virtual reality systems equipped with haptic feedback controllers provide a safe environment for practicing skills and testing surgical techniques. These systems are especially useful for young doctors, enabling them to memorize and replicate the correct sequence of actions. For experienced surgeons, VR allows them to explore multiple scenarios and choose the most effective approach for a specific patient.
Virtual physical therapy sessions aid patients in recovering from injuries or improving physical function, particularly in cases involving physical disabilities. Beyond physical rehabilitation, virtual reality is also proving valuable in mental health therapy, such as the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. VR provides calming virtual environments, guided breathing exercises, meditation sessions, and coping strategies, all within a controlled and supportive setting. Controlled environments help users regulate mood and stress levels, understand their body’s responses, and safely confront and manage their fears.
Personalized medicine
The essence of personalized medicine lies in studying a patient’s genetic and physiological characteristics, as well as their lifestyle, to create an individualized treatment or preventive care plan. Among the key technological trends in personalized medicine is the use of artificial intelligence, which analyzes a patient’s medical history, predicts the trajectory of disease development, and proposes optimal treatment strategies. AI models trained on large volumes of historical data help minimize side effects and allow for more efficient use of medical resources.
Additionally, AI algorithms detect trends and anomalies in vital health indicators – such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels – to aid in preventing chronic diseases. Healthcare institutions also use AI to analyze patients’ DNA, enabling the development of medicines tailored to individuals with specific molecular and genetic profiles.
Overcoming mental health challenges with telepsychiatry
Telepsychiatry, a specialized branch of telemedicine, explores ways to provide psychological care remotely through video conferencing, health monitoring applications, and medical record storage platforms. Services available in telepsychiatry programs include psychiatric evaluations, individual or group therapy, medication management, and access to reference materials.
The growing focus of traditional media and social networks on mental health issues and psychiatric disorders has led to the development of mobile apps that make appointments and remote consultations easier.
As mentioned earlier, another promising technology that could revolutionize telepsychiatry is virtual reality. Computer simulations can recreate situations or environments with which a person interacts through a VR headset and wearable sensors. By immersing themselves in VR applications, patients can relive emotions they have already experienced in real-life situations, explore dysfunctional behaviors, and, ultimately, recover from traumatic experiences and regain control over their actions.
These virtual scenarios can be enhanced with rewarding elements, such as trophies for using the app daily for a week – an approach already seen in foreign language learning and fitness training apps. Finally, VR scenarios can also be particularly helpful for individuals who feel uncomfortable sitting in a therapist’s office.
Final thoughts
The healthcare industry is evolving with the adoption of new technologies and software, alongside an increasing understanding of these tools by medical professionals. Major trends, such as the use of artificial intelligence, the creation of digital twins, and the development of VR systems, are enabling physicians and medical researchers to design more effective treatment plans, simulate surgical scenarios, and predict patients’ responses to specific medications – all before applying them in real-world settings.
In addition, advancements in IoT technology will allow telemedicine to evolve beyond basic remote consultations into comprehensive health monitoring. This will make telemedicine a vital healthcare solution for patients in rural areas and elderly people, for whom frequent hospital visits can be particularly challenging.
